Young New Yorkers, chashama, Brain & Behavior, FundaHigado America

chashama celebrated its 20th anniversary gala, which raised funds to provide essential performance, exhibit, and work space to thousands of artists throughout NYC at free or low-cost rates. The gala honored Barbara and Donald Tober.

On Tuesday, June 16, 2015, the Young New Yorkers for the Philharmonic gathered at Upper Story by Charlie Palmer in New York City for their annual Summer Benefit. Approximately 200 guests attended and more than $75,000 was raised for the Philharmonic.

The evening began with a chamber music recital at 8:15 p.m. and continued with a cocktail reception. New York Philharmonic President Matthew VanBesien welcomed guests and introduced the host of the evening, New York Philharmonic Artist-in-Association, pianist Inon Barnatan. Inon introduced and performed Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso in E major.

Then, guest artists tenor Ben Bliss and soprano Julia Bullock performed selections from West Side Story followed by a performance of Brahms's Rondo alla Zingara: Presto, from Piano Quartet in G minor featuring New York Philharmonic musicians, violinist Yulia Ziskel, violist Rémi Pelletier, cellist Alexei Gonzales, and Inon Barnatan on piano. A jazz performance took place during the cocktail reception.

On June 15th, Hearst Magazine's Editorial Director Ellen Levine and advocate, author Lee Woodruff spoke about depression, anxiety and the importance of removing the stigma from mental illness before a sold-out audience of 300 at the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation's second "Women Breaking the Silence About Mental Illness" luncheon at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan.

The event, co-chaired by BBRF Board Members Suzanne Golden and Carole Mallement raised $250,000 for the Foundation, a not-for-profit organization funding innovative scientific research to better understand the causes, develop new treatments for, and alleviate suffering from brain and behavior disorders.

Ellen Levine and Lee Woodruff

"By engaging in this important conversation about depression, anxiety and recovery, Ellen Levine and Lee Woodruff are educating the public, raising awareness and, most importantly, helping to eliminate the stigma around mental illness that keeps so many people suffering in silence instead of seeking help," said Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., President and CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. "We are grateful for their candor."

"As a noted author and public figure, Lee Woodruff's willingness to share her experiences goes a long way toward eliminating the shame and embarrassment that keeps mental illness in the shadows," said Ms. Levine.

"Stigma and the fear of being labeled stops many people from finding the help they need," noted Ms. Woodruff. "Speaking openly about mental disorders helps people understand they are not alone and encourages support for the kind of research that will lead to more effective treatments."

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is committed to alleviating the suffering of mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research. The Foundation funds the most innovative ideas in neuroscience and psychiatry to better understand the causes and develop new ways to treat brain and behavior disorders. These disorders include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Since 1987, the Foundation has awarded more than $328 million to fund more than 4,800 grants to more than 3,800 leading scientists around the world. This has led to over $3 billion in additional funding for these scientists. The Foundation is also dedicated to educating the public about mental health and the importance of research including the impact that new discoveries have on improving the lives of those with mental illness, which will ultimately enable people to live full, happy and productive lives. For more information, visit www.bbrfoundation.org.

On Monday June 8th, 2015, chashama celebrated their achievements at the 20th Anniversary chashama Gala, which raised funds to provide essential performance, exhibit, and work space to thousands of artists throughout NYC at free or low-cost rates.

The Gala Honored Barbara and Donald Tober, leaders in supporting the arts. Mrs. Tober, a collector, journalist, and long-time patron of the arts, is Chairman Emerita at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) and currently chairs the museum's International Council, a group that seeks to further the museum's global presence. She served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at MAD for 15 years. Mr. Tober is the Chairman and CEO of Sugar Foods Corporation, a national food manufacturing and sugar company that makes FreshGourmet, N'Joy, and other food products.

Mr. Clown, Donald Tober, Barbara Tober, Mr. Clown, and Anita Durst

For one evening only, chashama transformed the former Conde Nast office and Frank Gehry-designed dining hall into a live demonstration of their programs since their founding in 1995. The evening featured over 30 current and alumni visual and performing artists such as Delirious Hair Designs, which created hair sculptures for guests, and Valentine Amartey, a costume designer that surprised guests with a run-way style performance in the dining hall. The venue showcased the process of activating unused spaces for artists and audiences by enlivening the rooms with performances and installations.

chashama nurtures artists by transforming underutilized properties into affordable work and presentation spaces. chashama partners with property owners to activate unused real estate into space for artists, performers, youth and community groups. chashama began in 1995 initially focused on the production of theater performances in vacant properties along 42nd Street in Manhattan. Soon, chashama began fielding several requests from artists asking to use the space during off-nights. Recognizing that the lack of affordable studio and presentation space was a great threat to sustaining a diverse, dynamic, and provocative cultural environment, chashama's mission evolved into finding ways to connect artists and performers with untapped temporarily vacant real estate.

On Thursday, June 11th at The Glass Houses at Chelsea Art Tower, Carolina Herrera, along with Dr. Tomoaki Kato and Dr. Pedro Rivas-Vetencourt, hosted a cocktail reception and photography exhibit in support of the FundaHigado America Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation based in the United States. FundaHigado America is committed to training health care professionals in their home countries in South America, Central America and the Caribbean to provide life-saving liver transplants for children in need.

The scene at The Glass Houses at Chelsea Arts Tower. A photo exhibit featured several cases of pediatric patients with very limited resources who have been cured of end stage liver disease

On the balcony of The Glass Houses

Sunset view from the balcony of The Glass Houses

FundaHigado (the Spanish term for liver foundation) was established 10 years ago in Venezuela and has enabled dozens of children to undergo successful liver transplants in that country. The program is now being expanded under the auspices of the FundaHigado America Foundation to provide life-saving liver transplants to children in other parts of the region.